The Chola temples were built during chola rule.The Cholas built their temple in the traditional way of thePallavadynasty, who were themselves influenced by the Amaravati school of architecture. The Chola artists and artisans further drew their influences from other contemporary art and architectural schools and elevated the Dravidian temple design to greater heights.The Chola kings built numerous temples throughout their kingdom, which normally comprised the plains, Central and Northern Tamil Nadu and at times the entire state of Tamil Nadu as also adjoining parts of modern Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. In the evolution of the Chola temple architecture we can roughly see three major phases, beginning with the early phase, starting withVijayalaya Cholaand continuing till Sundara Chola, the middle phase ofRajaraja CholaandRajendra Cholawhen the achievements scaled heights never reached before or since and the final phase during theChalukya Cholaperiod ofKulottunga Chola Itill the demise of the Chola empire.

The Cholas in addition to their temples, also built many buildings such as hospitals, public utility buildings and palaces. Many such buildings find mention in their inscriptions and in contemporary accounts. The golden palace thatAditya Karikalasupposedly built for his fatherSundara Cholais an example of such a building. However, such buildings were of perishable materials such as timber and fired bricks and have not survived the ravages of time.